SHADOW LAUNCH
Announced and launched same day?
Stop right there, criminal scum! The gaming world just got a massive shake-up with the surprise shadow drop of The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered, and it’s available right now on Xbox Game Pass, PC, Xbox Series X|S, and PlayStation 5. Bethesda pulled off a masterful move, announcing and releasing this long-rumored remaster on April 22, 2025, with zero warning—and fans are absolutely losing it. Let’s dive into what makes this launch so epic, why Game Pass is the place to be, and the jaw-dropping player numbers showing Cyrodiil’s triumphant return.
After months of leaks and speculation, Bethesda confirmed the remaster in a livestream that had Elder Scrolls fans glued to their screens. Developed by Virtuos in collaboration with Bethesda, Oblivion Remastered isn’t just a nostalgic glow-up – it’s a near-remake, powered by Unreal Engine 5. With stunning 4K visuals at 60 FPS, revamped combat, a modernized leveling system, sprinting, new dialogue, and all DLCs (including Shivering Isles and Knights of the Nine), this is the definitive way to experience the 2006 classic. The cherry on top? It’s a day-one release on Xbox Game Pass, meaning subscribers on Xbox, PC, and cloud can jump in without spending a dime extra.
For those without Game Pass, the Standard Edition retails at £49.99, with a Deluxe Edition at £59.99 that tosses in extras like horse armour, exclusive weapons, and a digital artbook. But let’s be real: Game Pass is stealing the show, making this massive RPG accessible to millions from the get-go.
Player Numbers That Shatter Expectations
The hype for Oblivion Remastered was real, but the player turnout? Absolutely staggering. Within hours of its April 22 launch, the game rocketed to over 120,000 concurrent players on Steam alone, climbing to a peak of 182,298 by the end of day one – making it the second-biggest single-player game launch of 2025 on the platform. This crushed Skyrim Special Edition’s all-time peak of 69,906, and with a trajectory like this, it might even challenge Skyrim’s record of 287,411 concurrent players.
But Steam’s just part of the story. Bethesda announced that over 4 million players ventured into Cyrodiil across all platforms – PC, Xbox, PS5, and Game Pass – in less than a week. That’s right: 4 million in under seven days! Posts on X highlight the frenzy, with one user noting, “Oblivion shadow drops to 100k concurrent on its first day while also being on Game Pass,” underscoring how Game Pass amplified its reach. Another post celebrated the game hitting “182,298 concurrent players on Steam in its first day – topping charts and beating Skyrim’s peak.”
On Xbox specifically, early stats showed 17,465 players active on Game Pass within 24 hours, compared to 1,021 on PlayStation, proving Game Pass is a powerhouse for this release. These numbers don’t even account for cloud gaming or Xbox Play Anywhere, which lets you seamlessly switch between Xbox and PC with cross-saves.
Why This Launch Matters
The Oblivion Remastered shadow drop is more than a nostalgic win—it’s a testament to the Elder Scrolls’ enduring legacy and Game Pass’s ability to make big games instantly accessible. The original Oblivion sold over 3 million copies by 2007, and this remaster is already outpacing expectations, proving fans old and new are hungry for more Tamriel. The game’s visual overhaul, from lush foliage to moody lighting, feels like “an entirely different game,” while keeping the quirky dialogue and chaotic charm that made the 2006 version a legend.
Game Pass is the real MVP here. As one X post put it, “Game Pass is just on fire,” with Oblivion joining heavyweights like Avowed and South of Midnight in a stacked 2025 lineup. For £10.99 a month, Gamepass subscribers get this massive RPG alongside hundreds of others – for £14.99 the Ultimate Gamepass subscribers can stream it to other devices such as the Amazon Firestick 4k, making it a no-brainer for anyone itching to explore Cyrodiil without the £50 price tag.
What’s Next for Oblivion Fans?
With Oblivion Remastered dominating charts and sparking memes (those ugly NPC faces are back and viral, thanks to fans recreating them), the question is: can it keep the momentum? Bethesda’s already teasing more updates, though a recent PC Game Pass patch caused a hiccup by dropping DLSS support—here’s hoping Virtuos fixes that soon. Meanwhile, modders are going wild, with a VR mod dropping mere hours after launch.
For now, the gates of Oblivion are wide open, and whether you’re a veteran adventurer or a newbie stepping out of that sewer for the first time, there’s never been a better time to dive in. Game Pass makes it effortless, and those 4 million players can’t be wrong.
Have you jumped into Oblivion Remastered yet? Share your favorite Cyrodiil moment in the comments, and let’s keep the Tamriel love alive!
Buy Elder Scrolls IV Oblivion now on CDKeys for £39.99 now
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